cape clear

 

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CAPE CLEAR

cape clear museum

south harbour

This extract is from the forward "The Man from Cape Clear" published by Mercier Press 1975 ISBN No 1 85635014 2 author Conchúr Ó Siocháin who lived on Cape Clear all his life as a farmer and a fisherman, he died in 1941.

Even more significant is the fact that Cape Clear Island is the last surviving stronghold of the Erainn whose language and culture- though Celtic-were pre-Godelic, and who gave the Irish language a substratum of homely words borrowed by the Gaeil from the Iarnbelre or language of the Erainn- the dominant people in the south of the country before it was overrun by the Goidel (mod. Gaeil). The title Corcu loigde (al. Corca Laidhe), which was the name of the sept whose chiefs were the O`Driscolls (< Ò Drisceoil, older Ua Eidirsceoil), the foremost representatives of the Erainn, still survives in the words Collymore and Collybeg the names of two districts bordering the River Llen.

If one needed one last proof of the immemorial antiquity of the historical roots which should make Cape Clear as exciting to the spirit as its jagged "Viking-faced" cliffs are thrilling to the sight, we have to recall the astonishing survival of such pre-Christian first names as Eireamháinand and Maccon among the O`Driscolls of the island down to our own time.

St Kierans stone, north harbour

 Excerpts from Sketches in Carbery by Daniel Donovan written in 1876.

The natives of Cape Clear are distinct in a great measure from the inhabitants of the mainland; they have remained from time immemorial as a separate colony, always intermarrying amongst themselves; so that we must regard them as amongst the most typical specimens at the present day of the old Milesian race. The name of nearly all the islanders is O`Driscoll or Cadogan, the later being only a sobriquet for the former. Baltimore and Cape were originally the stronghold of this family, the principal Chieftain, O`Driscoll Mór, residing in Baltimore. There can be no doubt that they were the aboriginal race residing along the sea-coast of Carbery. The isolated position of the island and it's difficulty of approach, have kept the population in a comparatively antique state and distinct condition during the lapse of centuries, so far as nationality and descent.

Until the year 1710 Cape was a sort of established monarchy, and an O`Driscoll - the head of the clan- was always styled, "King of the Island" They had a code of laws handed down from father to son. The majority have now become obsolete, not only in practice, but even in name. The general punishment was by fine, unless some grave offence was committed, and then the delinquent was banished forever to the mainland, which was looked upon as a sentence worse than death.

The climate is remarkably healthy, not more so in the world, as evidenced by the longevity of the inhabitants, their stalwart frames, healthy appearance, trivial mortality, and freedom from disease. They are a quiet, peaceful and industrious people, and possess greater gravity of manner, more ponderous bodies, and are built in a larger mould than the more vivacious and excitable race residing on the mainland.

north harbour from cotters loch ioral dun na oir

north harbour pillar stones of chomalan

Article from Marine Times

Presentation to Master and Crew of Naomh Ciarán II Ferry

Saturday 3rd of May was a special day for Concubar Ó Drisceoil and the crew of the Naomh Ciarán II when 28 years of dedicated service to the island community and local businesses was recognised by special presentations. Concubar received a portrait of himself in his wheel house approaching Oileán Cléire specially commissioned from well known Heir Island Artist Christine Williams. Each member of the permanent crew, Fachtna, Seán and Ted received an engraved ships bell.

The occasion was a buffet dedicated to the wider Ó Drisceoil or 'Lowel' family of whom Concubar is the best known member to visitors to Oileán Cléire who had gathered on the island to make a special program for Radio na Gaeltachta. This was broadcast on Friday 9 May. The event was organised by the Comharchumann and supported by Skinners Boatyard, Sherkin Ferry Operator, Vincent O'Driscoll, Fields Supermarket in Skibbereen and Bushes Bar of Baltimore.

bernard

muscians outside paddy burkes ciaran danny mikes mary o`driscoll. paddy burkes

outside paddy burkes

windy

robbie

CAPE CLEAR ISLAND

harbour

extracted from Lewis's Topographical Directory of Ireland, 1837


CAPE CLEAR ISLAND, a parish in the Eastern division of the barony of West Carbery, county of Cork and province of Munster, 16 miles (S. by W.) from Skibbereen; containing 1059 inhabitants. This island is called by the Irish 'Innish Dharnley' and in ecclesiastical records 'Insula Sancta Clarae', though at a much greater distance form the mainland, may be regarded as the principle of a large cluster of islands in the Atlantic Ocean, lying off the coast of Carbery, and situated between Dundedy Head and Brow Head, which latter was the 'Notium' of Ptolemy. It is separated from the mainland by the sound of Gaskenane, in which is always a strong tide, and in high winds a very heavy sea; and having, consequently, less intercourse with it than the islands nearer the coast, the native inhabitants have retained more of their original manners, language and customs.

old light house and signal tower

The island which is now the property of Sir William Wrixon Becher, Bart., is three miles in length and one and a half in breadth, and comprehends 17 townlands comprising 1400 acres, of which 649 are subdivided into 137 small farms of about 5 acres each, and about 200 acres are arable and the remainder rough pasture land. The soil is shallow and would be unproductive, but for a careful system of cultivation, entirely performed by the women, and wholly with the spade. The chief crops are oats and potatoes; the quantities raised in some seasons are inadequate to the supply of the inhabitants: the manure is sand and seaweed, which the women collect upon the strand, and carry on their backs up the steep and dangerous cliffs that surround the island, which is accessible only by two small harbours by which it is nearly intersected from north to south. The chief supply of fuel is brought from the mainland, as the island itself affords none, except what is made of a black mud found near the western lake, and bake during the summer; the inhabitants suffer extreme privations in winter from the scarcity of fuel. Flax is grown in some parts and spun into yarn, and coarse woollen clothes are manufactured for domestic use which, instead if being thickened by mills are put into pools of water and tamped by the younger and more active females. All the more elevated parts of the island are of the schistus formation, but in several parts, near the level of the sea, good freestone is found in abundance.



The scenery is extremely wild and romantic, particularly on the south side of the island, where it presents to the Atlantic a steep and inaccessible cliff. At the south west point of the island, overhanging the sea and accessible only by a narrow and dangerous pathway, not more than three feet in breadth are the ruins of Dunanore castle or the 'Golden Fort', which, from its distance from all the landing places would appear to have been built more for the purposes of a safe retreat in case of invasion than for defence of the shores: the view from the battlements is very extensive, and embraces a great variety of objects of a bold and imposing character. In the south western part are three fresh water lakes, one called Lough Erral, the water of which has a saponaceous and powerfully detersive quality, cleansing in a short time any vessel that may be thrown into it; this water which is used for washing and for cleaning flax, has been analysed by Dr. Rutty and found to contain a portion of natron, to which he attributes its cleansing properties. There is also a lake near the western coast, remarkable for the number and size of its eels; and there are numerous springs of fresh water in several parts.

north harbour and st ciarans church

The men are wholly employed in fishing, for which the island is remarkably adapted: they leave home every Monday or Tuesday morning during the summer season, and return on Friday evening or Saturday morning. Their fishing craft and tackle have been much improved since the establishment of the late Fishery Board: they now go to sea in hookers or half decked vessels, to the distance of 20 or 30 leagues. On their return, the fish are given to the women to cure, and the men generally spend their time in leisure and recreation till the day of their departure next. The fish, when cured, is sold to retail merchants who visit the island for that purpose; and should any remain unsold, it is sent to the Cork market. The men are expert and resolute seamen, and the best pilots on the coast; they are remarkable for discerning land in snowy or foggy weather, possess an uncommon sagacity in discovering the approach of bad weather, and are exceedingly skilful in the management of their vessels.

The inhabitants seldom leave home unless to sell their fish, or to supply themselves with necessaries from the mainland. The cattle and sheep are very small, and there are only four horses on the island. The wool is exceedingly fine, which is attributable to the pasturage, as sheep brought in from the mainland produce in a short time a fleece of excellent quality. A good harbour has been formed, and a neat pier constructed on the south side of the island at the joint expense of Sir W. W. Becher, Bart., and the late Fishery Board.


Cape Clear is well known to mariners as a conspicuous landmark. On the south side of the island is a lighthouse, erected by the corporation for improving the port of Dublin; it exhibits a bright revolving light of 21 lamps, of which seven become visible every two minutes; the lantern has an elevation of 480 feet above the level of the sea, and in clear weather the light may be seen from all points at a distance of 28 nautical miles. Adjoining the lighthouse is the signal tower, erected after the attempt of the French to land at Bantry Bay and purchased by the above corporation. On the north side of the island, and about a quarter of a mile from the shore, vessels may anchor in moderate weather. About 4 miles (W.) from Cape Clear is Fastnet rock, famous for the quantities of Ling, Hake &c. taken near it.

According to the census of 1831, there were 206 houses occupied by 200 families; the houses are mostly built of stone and thatched; and from the unsheltered situation of the island, exposed to every raging blast; the inhabitants are obliged t secure the thatch on the roofs by an interwoven covering of netting or matting kept down by heavy stones. There is a coast guard station on the island.


It is a vicarage, in the diocese of Ross, and is part of the union of Kilcoe; the rectory is impropriate in Sir. W.W. Becher, Bart. The tithes amount to £34, of which one half is payable to the vicar. There is neither church nor glebe house; divine service is occasionally performed in the tower of the lighthouse. The glebe, on which are the ruiuns of an ancient church, comprises 25a. 3r. 26p.

In the R.C. divisions this island is the head of a union or district, comprising also the island of Innissherkin and containing in each a chapel, of which the chapel here is a small thatched building.

There is a national school, in which are about 40 boys and 20 girls. Not far from the harbour are the ruins of St. Kiarans' church; on the shore is an ancient stone with a cross rudely sculptured on it, and at a short distance a holy well. Till about the year 1710, the islanders had a resident King chosen by and from amongst themselves, and an ancient code of laws handed down by tradition, which it was his duty to administer; and though the king had neither funds for the maintenance of his dignity, nor officers to enforce his authority, the people generally submitted voluntarily to these laws, and were always ready to carry his judgements into execution. The greater number of the laws are become obsolete, but some still remain and are enforced with rigour. The island was formerly remarkable for a race of men of extraordinary stature and strength, whose feats are the subject of many interesting narratives. The O'Driscolls, many of whom were kings of the island were the most celebrated; they had large possessions and held five or six castles in different parts of the country, which were all forfeited in the insurrection of 1601, after which they emigrated to Spain, leaving behind them their only dependents, whose posterity have long since mingled with the peasantry.

cape from sherkin